Heroes, Pirates And Snakes -- Oh My!

Bring on the popcorn and air-conditioning -- we're spending summer at the movies.

Here's what to look for on the big screen through the summer. The opening dates are national openings; it might take longer to reach a theater near you.

MAY

"Mission: Impossible III"

(Opened May 5)

Plot: Superagent Ethan Hunt's (Tom Cruise) latest impossible mission strikes a little too close to home when a menacing baddie (played by recent Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman) captures one of his fellow operatives (Keri Russell) and also threatens his new girlfriend (Michelle Monaghan).

Why You Should Care: Because the real star of the third entry in the "M:I" franchise isn't papa Cruise, it's co-writer/director J.J. Abrams, the geek favorite behind "Felicity," "Alias" and "Lost."

Chill Factor: Ice cold. The first blockbuster of the summer may also be the best.

"Poseidon" (Friday)

Plot: It's New Year's Eve and the passengers of the cruise ship Poseidon (including Kurt Russell, Josh Lucas, Emmy Rossum and Richard Dreyfuss) are partying like its 2006 in the grand ballroom, serenaded by Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas. Meanwhile, up on deck, the crew watches in horror as a giant wall of water looms ever closer ...

Why You Should Care: The original "Poseidon Adventure" was one of the biggest hits of the '70s and Warner Bros. is spending a whopping $140 million to try and outdo it. That means lots more CGI-enhanced effects and a bigger body count.

Plot: If you need us to tell you, then you've clearly spent the last few years locked in your basement without a TV, the Internet, magazines, newspapers, a telephone ...

Why You Should Care: While Dan Brown will never be confused with James Joyce or even Stephen King, he did devise a crackerjack story that should translate very well to the big screen. But what's the deal with Tom Hanks' hair?

Chill Factor: Cool. Hairstyling issues aside, the strong cast (including Ian McKellan and Alfred Molina) and stellar production values (the filmmakers were granted permission to shoot in the Louvre) should satisfy the book's legion of fans.

"Over The Hedge" (19th)

Plot: A group of adorable woodland creatures discovers that their home has been swallowed up by suburbia.

Why You Should Care: The latest computer-animated cartoon from Dreamworks boasts their usual cast of stars (Bruce Willis, Steve Carell, William Shatner and Wanda Sykes all lend their voices) and timely pop-culture references.

Chill Factor: Cool. Any movie that casts Shatner as a pretentious possum and Carell as a skittery squirrel can't be all bad.

"X-Men: The Last Stand" (26th)

Plot: When a possible cure for mutation is discovered, Professor X's X-Men once again find themselves at odds with Magneto's Brotherhood of Mutants. Elsewhere, Storm and Wolverine may be becoming something more than teammates, Iceman is torn between Rogue and Kitty Pryde and Jean Grey returns as Dark Phoenix. And if the last sentence reads like gibberish, head down to your local comic book store.

Why You Should Care: The first two "X" movies were big hits, but geeks everywhere were horrified when original director Bryan Singer went off to helm "Superman Returns" and Brett Ratner stepped into his place. Still, the early trailers seem promising.

Chill Factor: Cool. Ratner might be able to pull this off yet.

Also in May: Donald Sutherland and Sissy Spacek see dead people in "An American Haunting" (out now); "Ghost World" collaborators Terry Zwigoff and Daniel Clowes team up again for "Art School Confidential" (out now); a trio of kids protect some endangered owls in "Hoot" (out now); and Lindsay Lohan suffers a run of bad luck in the romantic comedy "Just My Luck" (Friday).

JUNE

"The Break-Up" (2nd)

Plot: Brooke (Jennifer Aniston) and Gary (Vince Vaughn) decide to end their relationship. There's just one catch -- neither of them wants to move out of the condo they bought together.

Why You Should Care: With scene-stealing turns in "Old School" and "Wedding Crashers" under his belt, Vaughn is more than ready to headline his own comedy. Hopefully his off-screen chemistry with Aniston will come across on film.

Chill Factor: Ice cold. The elements are all in place for "The Break-Up" to be this summer's "Wedding Crashers." And coming soon after the birth of Brangelina's baby, Aniston supporters will turn up in droves.

"The Omen" (6th)

Plot: A happily married couple (Liev Schreiber and Julia Stiles) is disturbed to learn that their seemingly normal child Damien may be the son of Satan.

Why You Should Care: Well, the original Omen was a minor phenomenon when it was released in 1976 and this summer does seem rather light on scary movies. Plus, the filmmakers were granted a gift from the casting gods when Mia Farrow -- Rosemary Woodhouse herself -- signed on to play Damien's nanny, Mrs. Baylock.